From mediocre job to fulfilling career - Using LinkedIn to find a new vocation

LinkedIn is one of the leading methods used by job hunters to identify a role which will further their career,  as well as employers who need to track down skills and experience just right for their company However, it is rarely used efficiently as a means to move from one job to another. So if you are sitting in a job that you don’t enjoy, feeling stagnant and need to develop your career  , then you can follow some of the tips below to ensure that your LinkedIn profile is geared towards getting you to where you want to be.

Our first tip is also one of the most important; capturing the attention of your future employer/colleague with your Headline. Often, the only information someone will see of your profile is your name and your Headline, making it important to hook your reader from the get-go. You have only 120 characters to set yourself apart from every other job-seeker out there, but you can use the Headline to specify the role you are hoping to transition to.

For example, if you are a business consultant looking to move to a multimedia role in a smaller business, and have experience as a graphic designer, target your Headline toward graphic designers with their own small business. Split your headline into two ‘hits’, starting with the defining feature of your desired role (eg. Sally Brown – “Graphic Designer, Multimedia developer | Business consultant for small businesses”). In doing this, you have made your profile unique and more appealing to someone in the targeted field.

You then need to hone your entire profile by focusing on the career you want, not the career you have. This means developing the rest of your profile in a smart and succinct way, to make sure that the person whose interest was piqued by your Headline is going to keep reading. Some tips on making your profile more attractive include:

• Writing in first-person throughout your profile to keep things consistent.
• Creating a narrative, making your experiences seem cohesive instead of fragmented.
• Avoid listing all current responsibilities (as you may in a resume) and instead,
• Focus on achievements/experiences that are relevant to the type of job you want to move into.
• Include relevant images and samples of your experience, but only relevant to the accomplishments/roles connected to the career you are seeking (eg. A business card concept for your graphic design work)

Lastly, do not forget to talk to the people who are recommending you for the type of position you are aiming for. This will help them when contacted by your potential employer.

If you are looking to change your career to one you are passionate about, or you are looking for the next step in your career, then using the tips here will help you to fine-tune your LinkedIn profile to become a magnet for new opportunities in the career of your dreams.